{"id":81680,"date":"2026-01-07T05:20:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/?p=81680"},"modified":"2026-01-07T05:21:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:21:38","slug":"maria-ross-urghh-card-co","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/maria-ross-urghh-card-co\/","title":{"rendered":"She Started Up in Pursuit of Creative Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='storyblock storyblock-wider'>\r\n<div id=\"block_828aec9efbbb9d8885dc1606b95b9523\"\r\n    class=\"block-standout-header text-image aspect-1-1 \">\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"standout-header-inner none\">\r\n        <div class=\"standout-header-image\">\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Maria-Ross-e1767780543791.jpeg\" alt=\"Maria Ross URGH Card Co\"\r\n                    class=\"img-fluid\" \/>\r\n                                    <p class=\"caption\">Maria Ross, founder of URGHH Card Co. (Credit: Courtesy of URGHH Card Co)<\/p>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"standout-header-text\">\r\n                            <div class='logo'>\r\n                                            <a class=\"thousandStoriesLogo\" href=\"\/stories\/\">\r\n                            1,000 Stories\r\n                        <\/a>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n            \r\n                            <h1 class=\"entry-title\">She Started Up in Pursuit of Creative Freedom<\/h1>\r\n            \r\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maria Ross designs playful greeting cards brimming with pop culture references.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"entry-meta\">\r\n                <time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2026-01-07T10:20:40+00:00\">January 7, 2026<\/time>\r\n\r\n                                                    <div class=\"author-meta\">\r\n                        <div class=\"author_thumbnail\">\r\n                                                                                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/userphoto\/96.jpg\" alt=\"Victoria Flexner\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"photo\" \/>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                        <span>\r\n                            <span class='by'>By <\/span>\r\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/author\/vic\" title=\"Visit Victoria Flexner&#8217;s website\" rel=\"author external\">Victoria Flexner<\/a>\r\n                        <\/span>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n    #block_828aec9efbbb9d8885dc1606b95b9523.block-standout-header {\r\n        width: 100%;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #block_828aec9efbbb9d8885dc1606b95b9523.block-standout-header 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}\r\n<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Maria Ross has always considered herself <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/tag\/arts-entertainment\/\"><strong>an artist<\/strong><\/a><strong>. The London-based creative told us she spent a number of years working in the hospitality industry \u2013 but while it \u201cpaid the bills\u201d she knew deep down \u201cit wasn\u2019t where I truly belonged.\u201d Craving something more meaningful, and something that would allow her to express herself more fully, she launched <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/urghh.co.uk\/\"><strong>URGHH Card Co.<\/strong><\/a><strong> in 2021 and hasn\u2019t looked back. Ross\u2019 playful greetings are humorous and filled with millennial pop-culture references \u2013 a \u201cvibe\u201d she hopes will bring joy and laughter to those who give and receive her cards.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Here&#8217;s our lightly edited Q&amp;A, from<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/stories\/\"><em> <\/em><em>The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-is-your-business-different-from-others-in-your-industry\"><strong>How is your business different from others in your industry?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>My cards are made to feel personal. They\u2019re often niche, full of unexpected pop-culture nods that foster genuine connection between people and their loved ones. Whether it\u2019s a pink Father\u2019s Day card, an LGBTQ+ design, or a quote from a millennial cult classic, I like to challenge the norm \u2014 with both color and content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tell-us-about-your-biggest-success-so-far-nbsp\"><strong>Tell us about your biggest success so far.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reaching 10,000 sales on my Etsy store. I remember having less than 10 and wondering if I&#8217;d ever get over 100. I just couldn&#8217;t believe how far I&#8217;d come, and how much I&#8217;d learned and progressed since designing my first card.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_731662e489286de109be2a1718af922e\" class=\"wp-block related-post alignwide\">\n      <div class=\"wrap\">\n    <div class=\"section-title\">\n      <h4>Related<\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"post-wrap\">\n              <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/ellen-murphy-sona\/\" class=\"post-image-link\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ellen-Murphy-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Ellen Murphy Sona\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ellen-Murphy-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ellen-Murphy-525x525.jpg 525w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ellen-Murphy-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ellen-Murphy-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ellen-Murphy-45x45.jpg 45w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ellen-Murphy.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"entry-text\">\n          <h3 class=\"post-title\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/ellen-murphy-sona\/\">\n              Her Tech Makes Ultrasounds More Shareable\n            <\/a>\n          <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-your-top-challenge-and-how-have-you-addressed-it\"><strong>What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Balancing a full-time job while running my own business. As an artist, it&#8217;s not just about finding the time \u2014 it&#8217;s about finding the energy. Creative energy is a different kind of fuel, and often, after a long day at work, there just wasn\u2019t much left to give. Plus, with no formal training in business or marketing, scaling up came with a steep learning curve. Constant social-media algorithm changes and the cost of living crisis added to my concerns.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I made a lot of mistakes along the way in trying to address it all \u2014 some small, some that really set me back \u2014 but every one of them taught me something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-have-you-experienced-any-significant-personal-situations-that-have-affected-your-business-decisions\"><strong>Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I live with anxiety and depression, and I have no shame in saying that I take medication to manage it. It\u2019s a part of who I am, and it definitely impacts the way I work. Some days I feel energized, excited, and full of ideas for my business \u2014 other days, I question everything and wonder if I\u2019m cut out for any of it. It\u2019s a bit of a rollercoaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consistency can be hard, especially when my mental health is up and down. I absolutely love designing cards and running my business, but there are times when it feels overwhelming. Still, I keep showing up \u2014 when I can, how I can \u2014 because creating brings me joy and gives me purpose. And, I know I\u2019m not alone in feeling this way.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_aafd1055e17940d205235d7a3cfba2fb\" class=\"wp-block related-post alignwide\">\n      <div class=\"wrap\">\n    <div class=\"section-title\">\n      <h4>Related<\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"post-wrap\">\n              <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/kirsti-samuels-ks-insight\/\" class=\"post-image-link\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kirsti-5-e1761674046364-150x150.jpg?theia_smart_thumbnails_file_version=2\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Kristi Samuels KS Insight\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kirsti-5-e1761674046364-150x150.jpg?theia_smart_thumbnails_file_version=2 150w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kirsti-5-e1761674046364-45x45.jpg?theia_smart_thumbnails_file_version=2 45w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"entry-text\">\n          <h3 class=\"post-title\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/kirsti-samuels-ks-insight\/\">\n              She Helps Leaders Navigate the Hard Stuff\n            <\/a>\n          <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-your-biggest-tip-for-other-startup-entrepreneurs-nbsp\"><strong>What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Confidence often grows after you start, so it doesn&#8217;t have to be perfect straight away. Take every little win and keep going. And at the same time, don&#8217;t expect it all to happen overnight! Success&nbsp; could take years, even \u2013 but alternatively, nothing will happen at all if you don&#8217;t try.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-you-find-inspiration-on-your-darkest-days\"><strong>How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I often find humour in just how bad things can feel \u2014 it\u2019s a small light in the heaviness. What really helps though is talking about it, whether with a partner, a friend or family. It\u2019s taken me time and practice to be able to honestly express how I\u2019m feeling, but it\u2019s made a huge difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-your-go-to-song-to-get-motivated-on-tough-days\"><strong>What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPink Pony Club\u201d by Chappell Roan always gets me out of my head. It&#8217;s about following your dreams, no matter how people feel about them. It&#8217;s about going where you feel you belong. It&#8217;s inspiring \u2013 and fabulous to sing and dance to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-is-your-most-important-role-model-nbsp\"><strong>Who is your most important role model?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>My mother. While raising me and my two siblings, she found the courage to start painting and selling her artwork. There were many moments when she doubted herself and wondered if she was good enough, but she never gave up. She believed deeply in her work \u2014 even when others didn\u2019t \u2014 and kept creating and advocating for herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Instagram: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/urghhcardco\">@URGHHCardco<\/a><br><strong>Facebook: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/URGHHCardCo\/\">@URGHHCardco<\/a><br><strong>Pinterest: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/urghhcardco\/\">@URGHHCardco<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/1uXS8gNDitjrMam5GdbvQAiiM89B-nxdSkJ97LWrLAlY\/viewform?edit_requested=true\">Share your story <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>C<strong><em>heck out our<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/advice-tips-resources-for-women-entrepreneurs\/\"><em>&nbsp;Advice + Tips for<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;<em>entrepreneurs starting-up<br>Watch our latest<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/category\/entrepreneur-videos\/\"><em>&nbsp;videos<br><\/em><\/a><em>Subscribe to our<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/podcast\/\"><em>&nbsp;podcast<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maria Ross designs playful greeting cards brimming with pop culture references. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":81681,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"autoblue_enabled":true,"autoblue_custom_message":"Maria Ross designs playful greeting cards brimming with pop culture references.","autoblue_shares":[],"autoblue_post_url":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[19472,21926,19683,19730],"class_list":["post-81680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-yse","tag-arts-entertainment","tag-creative-arts","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-mental-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.3 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>She Started Up in Pursuit of Creative Freedom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Maria Ross designs playful greeting cards brimming with pop culture references.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/maria-ross-urghh-card-co\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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